How to stop and go?

Message
Author
User avatar
xRider
Regular
Regular
Posts: 42
Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2011 5:51 pm
Real Name: Marc
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 0
My Motorcycle: Motomia Enzo 150cc
Location: South Africa

How to stop and go?

#1 Unread post by xRider »

I recently bough my first bike and have been riding it for about a week now but there is one thing I haven't figured out yet. How to stop and go without the bike dying.

When I get to a stop street and have to stop, how do I do it? Do I go back down to first gear? Do I put it in neutral? Do I keep the clutch in?

Thanks
Dream Bike
2006 Ducati Sport 1000

User avatar
sapaul
Legendary 2000
Legendary 2000
Posts: 2386
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 3:45 am
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 90
My Motorcycle: 2011 R1200R 07 BMW GS, Kymco 250 little
Location: South Africa

Re: How to stop and go?

#2 Unread post by sapaul »

Howzit man, go to www.thinkbike.co.za there is a whole manual of stuff on there for South Africans
I spent my therapy money an a K1200S
The therapy worked, I got a GS now
A touch of insanity crept back in the shape of an R1200R

User avatar
xRider
Regular
Regular
Posts: 42
Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2011 5:51 pm
Real Name: Marc
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 0
My Motorcycle: Motomia Enzo 150cc
Location: South Africa

Re: How to stop and go?

#3 Unread post by xRider »

Thanks, ill check it out. Now back to the question... :)
Dream Bike
2006 Ducati Sport 1000

User avatar
jstark47
Site Supporter - Silver
Site Supporter - Silver
Posts: 3538
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2006 2:58 pm
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 16
My Motorcycle: '12 Tiger 800, '03 Trophy 1200
Location: Lumberton, NJ

Re: How to stop and go?

#4 Unread post by jstark47 »

As you approach the stop and slow down through braking, successively tap down through the gears. When you're almost stopped, tap down into first, but keep the clutch in.

This is very basic stuff, and in all respect, you should not be out on the road if you're still asking these kinds of questions. In the United States where I am, we have a beginner course from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. I don't know if you have something equivalent in South Africa, but you have motorcycle schools that offer beginner courses. Please seriously consider taking such a course before you go out on the streets again.
2003 Triumph Trophy 1200
2009 BMW F650GS (wife's)
2012 Triumph Tiger 800
2018 Yamaha XT250 (wife's)
2013 Kawasaki KLX250S

User avatar
xRider
Regular
Regular
Posts: 42
Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2011 5:51 pm
Real Name: Marc
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 0
My Motorcycle: Motomia Enzo 150cc
Location: South Africa

Re: How to stop and go?

#5 Unread post by xRider »

Thanks, got it!

I will look if there is something like a beginner course somewhere.

I practiced the stop and go a bit today on a gravel road and I now can do it without the bike dying.

Btw it has 99.9km on the clock at the moment :)
Dream Bike
2006 Ducati Sport 1000

User avatar
sunshine229
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 1846
Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2003 12:02 pm
Real Name: Andrea aka Mrs. Total Motorcycle
Sex: Female
Years Riding: 14
My Motorcycle: 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone
Location: Waterloo, ON

Re: How to stop and go?

#6 Unread post by sunshine229 »

jstark47 wrote:Please seriously consider taking such a course before you go out on the streets again.
+1
Andrea :sun:

User avatar
totalmotorcycle
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 29679
Joined: Sat Nov 22, 2003 1:00 pm
Real Name: Mike
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 32
My Motorcycle: 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Re: How to stop and go?

#7 Unread post by totalmotorcycle »

Hi Marc,

As mentioned, a MSF course is worth it's price many, many times over. You'll now only pick up new skills and confidence, but also meet some new riders to ride with as well. Great times.

As for the stopping/starting thing, it's common to have "issues" with it when you start out for the first bit (like you are), but you do get the hang of it. I had problems as well.

Mike
NEW 2024 Motorcycle Model Guides
2023 Motorcycle Model Guides

Total Motorcycle is official Media/Press for Aprilia, Benelli, Beta, Bimota, BMW, Brammo, Buell, Can-Am, CCW, Ducati, EBR, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Husqvarna, Husaberg, Hyosung, Indian, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, LiveWire, Moto Guzzi, Moto Morini, MV Agusta, Norton, Phantom, Piaggio, Polaris, Ridley, Roehr, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph, Ural, Vespa, Victory, Yamaha and Zero.

User avatar
NorthernPete
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 3485
Joined: Mon May 02, 2005 4:24 pm
Real Name: Pete
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 11
My Motorcycle: 1988 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
Location: Northern Ontario, Canada

Re: How to stop and go?

#8 Unread post by NorthernPete »

Deserted parking lot and a lot of patience. Just sit in first gear with the clutch pulled in and slowly let it out feeling for the sweet spot. (That's where the bike will want to start moving on its own before it stalls) then pull the clutch back in. When you find the sweet spot and have gotten the hang of where it is and the way the bike feels when you hit just start giving the bike a little bit of throttle once you feel it start to move. Just keep it up. Takes a lot of practice. And I would also recommend the motorcycle course as mentioned. I didn't take one, and regret it. Would have definitely saved me a lot of aggravation and definitely would have made me a better rider I'm sure.
1988 VN1500
2009 GS500F

Katharine
Regular
Regular
Posts: 31
Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2011 2:34 pm
Real Name: Katharine
Sex: Female
Years Riding: 0
My Motorcycle: computer chair
Location: Michigan

Re: How to stop and go?

#9 Unread post by Katharine »

Have you ever driven a car with a manual transmission? I'm sure it won't be quite the same, but some of the same principles might transfer (at least, so I'm hoping :) ).

Post Reply